By AbdulMumin AbdulQuadir
The Muslim Community of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital and Lagos State University College of Medicine (LASUTH/LASUCOM) has organised her first Ramadan Public Lecture on the topic “Leadership: The Madinah Case Study” aimed at enlightening the Muslim Ummah and general public on the concept of leadership in Islam.
The programme was held on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, equivalent to 27th of Ramadan, 1444 at the frontage of the institution’s mosque in conjunction with the LASUTH Management.
The Chairman, LASUTH/LASUCOM Muslim Community, Prof. Nasir Akano Ibrahim, in his welcome speech, said though there has always been Ramadan lectures among departments and units in LASUTH/LASUCOM, this is the maiden edition of its public lecture.
He said, “We used to have Ramadan lectures in different departments and units here where we invited lecturers, mobilised people and gave them Iftar. But this is the first time we’re coming to the public. The management saw what we were doing and picked interest in it.
Prof. Akano expressed heartwarming appreciation towards the management of LASUTH/LASUCOM for sponsoring the maiden edition and hopes that the initiative is sustained.
Islam seeks to protect the weak minority – Dr Ahmad
Dr Sa’eid Ahmad, the guest speaker, while speaking on the topic said that the Islamic mode of leadership and governance seeks to protect the weaker minority.
He made reference to the Madinah Charter, a document formulated in 622 during the leadership of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in Madinah, which intended to end inter-tribal conflicts and maintain peace and cooperation among the people of Madinah.
According to him, “The Charter of Madinah tends to go out of its way to protect the weak minority. It has 48 articles therein and the first 24 articles talked about the relationship among Muslims while the remaining articles sought to protect the non-Muslim minority and their rights under the islamic reign.”
He admonished Nigerian leaders to always see leadership positions (offices) as trust, while imploring them to replicate the values as seen in Madinah and assured that they can thrive in an heterogeneous clime like the Nigerian society.
“Madinah as at then was heterogeneous, consisting of the Muhajiroon (those who emigrated with the Prophet, SAW, from Makkah to Madinah), Ansar (residents of Madinah who received them), Banu Israili (Jewish community in Madinah) and some other minority groups – people who practised different religions including Zoroastrianism among others. If the Prophet’s Madinah Charter could thrive there then, there is no reason it won’t thrive in Nigeria,” he noted.
Islam oversees every aspect of human life – Dr. Salisu
In his presentation, the Chief Imam of LASUTH/LASUCOM Muslim Community, Dr. Muhammad Salisu said Islam is not just a religion, but a complete way of life, including governance, leadership and followership.
He said, “If you understand what Islam is, you’ll know it’s a way of life. So, it concerns itself with everything that has to do with life, from economics, sociology, to administration/governance and every other thing.”
Dr. Salisu, therefore, urged Nigerian leaders to recognise the fact that leadership is a trust and to always let God lead.
“Our leaders should come to agreement with the fact that leadership is a trust. They should also know that they are setting themselves for failure whenever they engage in leadership without involving God.
He urged followers to be compliant and supportive of leaders as well.
Why we chose to analyse the Madinah Charter – Chairman, Planning Committee
Dr. AbdulHakeem Olaosebikan, consultant Rheumatologist and Chairman, Planning Committee thanked Allah, the Muslim community and his team for the success of the event, with an impressive turn out.
He disclosed that the topic was informed by bad leadership that has become the bane of Nigeria and many countries of the world for a very long time.
Dr. Olaosebikan said: “We know leadership has been a menace and major problem in Nigeria and we think it’s high time as Muslims, we engaged in the discourse and enlighten the public, Muslims and non-Muslims alike on the Islamic perception of leadership. So, we want the world to know the concept of leadership in Islam, with a special reference to the Madinah Charter.”
LASUTH Management will be supporting this programme every year – Prof. Adebowale
The Director of Clinical Services and Training (LASUTH), Prof. Adebowale Adekoya, who led the management team to the venue delivered a speech on behalf of the Chief Medical Director LASUTH, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo.
He commended the committee for a proper and successful planning of the programme, saying that it will be a yearly Ramadan lecture sponsored by the LASUTH management.
Prof. Adekoya also thanked the guest speaker for his well-researched lecture, noting that it will be on record that Dr. Sa’eed opened the floor for the first public lecture of the institution.
While praying Allah to reward the LASUTH/LASUCOM Muslim, community executive members, the Don urged every office holders to imbibe lessons they derived from the lecture.
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